Chapter 7 - My Father Asked Me Why I Didn't Hate ClaireOne evening, Dad and I sat on the porch.
The sun was setting.
He was drinking coffee.
I was drinking tea.
After several minutes, he asked:
“Do you hate her?”
I thought about it.
“Yes.”
Then I corrected myself.
“I did.”
“What changed?”
“I realized hatred keeps you tied to someone.”
Dad nodded.
“She deserves punishment.”
“Yes.”
“But you don't have to become like her.”
I looked at him.
He smiled.
“Your mother taught me that.”
Mom was inside making dinner.
My father continued:
“Justice is not revenge.”
That sentence stayed with me.
I wanted Claire punished.
But I didn't want her to control the rest of my life.
So I focused on rebuilding.
My parents.
My career.
May you like
My future.
And eventually, myself.
Related Stories
Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Fell Silent When the Hidden Camera Footage Was PlayedThe trial lasted weeks.
Chapter 9 - My Mother Finally Ate Thanksgiving Dinner at Her Own TableThe following Thanksgiving was the first peaceful one in years.
Chapter 10 - I Found One Last Recording That Explained Why Claire Had Been So DesperateMonths after the trial, Detective Harris called.
Chapter 11 - My Father Turned the Place of His Worst Nightmare Into a GardenDad refused to let the old chicken coop area remain empty.
Chapter 12 - I Thought My Marriage Had Destroyed My Future Until Someone Unexpected Entered My LifeI didn't expect to fall in love again.
Chapter 13 - My Mother Gave Me the One Thing Money Could Never BuyTwo years later, Mom gave me an old wooden box.
